680 Best Hotels in France

Less than a mile below tourist-packed St-Paul-de-Vence, with views of the valley and the village, this lovely little inn is a jumble of terraces, trellises, archways, orange trees, olives, and honeysuckle vines. The main hotel, built in 1920, has good-size rooms and old Provençal furniture; you can also opt for the 18th-century farmhouse, with smaller, more modern rooms but wonderful views. Each room seems to skew toward a private world, and several have individual terraces that are perfect for grasses matinées (late, lazy breakfasts, €15). 

Once a Catholic school, this ivy-clad 19th-century building—a 10-minute walk from the Château de Villandry—is now a charming boutique hotel. All 20 rooms are spacious and modern, with comfortable beds and all the amenities, though rooms in the main building tend to be on the larger side, with views of the park. Set on lovely grounds, there are plenty of scenic nooks for some lovely views of the countryside.

This Norman-style half-timbered inn with its stylish contemporary interiors, lovely gardens, and Michelin-starred restaurant make this a destination unto itself. All the better that it's a mere 10-minute walk from Monet's fabled gardens. Spacious, light-filled guest rooms pleasantly mix upscale design with Art Deco touches and provide a warm, welcoming retreat tucked away in a splendid setting offering plenty of peace and quiet. The chic one-Michelin-star restaurant, open for lunch and dinner (except on Monday and Tuesday), is a great asset. 

Two minutes from the famous Avignon bridge, this contemporarily decorated B&B offers a rooftop terrace view of the palace but also tranquillity away from the noisy palace streets. Opaque glass metal doors open into clean and bright guest rooms, with white bedding, white paint, and white furniture, with artwork providing bursts of color. Your friendly hosts offer all the amenities of a hotel, such as soaps, slippers, a welcome bottle of water, and a candy dish at the door, as well as a tasty breakfast (included) on the terrace or by the fireplace off-season.

With four superb suites for the lucky first-comers, the Guérards' delightfully re-created old coaching inn, set at one end of their Prés d'Eugénie fiefdom, is meant to be a more rustic alternative to their main flagship. At the inn's restaurant, La Ferme aux Grives, grandmother's cooking is given a nouvelle spin, and nearly everything is authentique—even the suckling pig turns on a spit in the fireplace. Nature's bounty and la cuisine du terroir are the central themes. Inside, your eyes feast on the decor, too: a banquet table is laid out with vegetables and breads, darkened beams cast romantic shadows, and hunting paintings cover the walls.

Up a storybook-perfect street lined with ancient half-timber houses, this fetching maison d'hôte dates to the 15th century and has been brought up-to-date in the best way, retaining much of its substantial character and charm. Each of five cozy guest rooms is done up in period antiques with botanical prints and matching fabrics. The Pastorale room, all in sky-blue toile, has Oriental rugs and a view over the pretty garden; the largest room, La Messidor, has a fireplace, rustic antiques, and a view through leaded-glass windows to the quiet street below. Breakfast (included) is served in a quaint dining room or outdoors in the garden with views of the medieval city.

For an overnight stay in Vitré’s old town, this contemporary lodging set in a period mansion delivers all you’ll need and more. Streamlined, serviceable rooms offer comfortable beds and spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers, plus kettles and coffeemakers in higher category rooms. In cold weather, cozy up to the fireplace in the sleek bar and lounge with a warm beverage and snack, or soak in the sunshine on the outdoor terrace in the summer. The indoor pool, sauna, and compact fitness room are just the thing after a day of touring the town.

Owner Camilla Richards spent 20 years in London before converting this 19th-century Provençal manor house—in the Bois de Fond Merle, perched over a lotus pond with a spectacular pool and near the Cannes–Mougins golf course—into an upscale inn. Light, airy guest rooms are accented with striking nouvelle-mod pieces. You probably won't stray too far from your poolside lounger, except, perhaps, to eat. The restaurant's reasonably priced menu has something for vegetarians, meat eaters, fish lovers, and those with a sweet tooth; the €25 lunch menu is gold.

A mix of southern-coast bourgeois and Provençal touches adds a splash of color to the sunlit, airy rooms of this family-owned hotel, where thoughtful service and absolute calm encourage relaxation. Private patios overlook a large secluded park bordered by eucalyptus, pink oleanders, and palm trees. You can hike through forests, swim in the pool, or simply sit on the flower-filled terrace. Diners come to the intimate, simply decorated restaurant from across the island to sample such delicious, hearty Provençal fare as smoked duck salad garnished with grilled tomatoes or rack of lamb with island herbs and ratatouille and to murmur comfortably over a final warmed brandy.

Set atop a small wooded hill 200 yards from the sea, this gorgeous half-timber, dormer-roof manor has a pretty green-and-white facade in the Anglo-Norman style, plus accommodations that promise sweeping views. Guest rooms are traditionally and tastefully furnished, and all have attractive modern marble bathrooms; the first-floor room has a four-poster bed and its own balcony. There's also a spa suite that sleeps two, and a beachside residence in traditional Norman style that sleeps 12. The atmospheric restaurant presents a seasonal range of gastronomic dishes. 

Built in 1565 in the fortified walls that encircled the Vieille Ville, this romantic, riverside inn is made up of a series of Renaissance houses lavished with glossy rafters, rich brocades, four-poster beds, Jacuzzis, and other extravagant details. A vivid color scheme—scarlet, sapphire, candy pink—further enhances the Vermeer-like atmosphere. All in all, this is not a high-end luxury hotel; it's an endearing, quirky old place hanging over a Petite Venise canal. The hotel's restaurant, À l'Échevin, (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) offers top-notch cuisine. Dine in salons or on the terrace perched above the river.

A stunning transformation has brought a blend of Provençal warmth and chic, retro-Californian style to this once-rural property, thanks to French-Mexican designer Hugo Toro who used ochre tones and bespoke furnishings to create inviting interiors. With two dining options—elegant La Table des Pins and casual al fresco Pool—plus two swimming pools and the Glow House Spa by Clarins offering a sauna, hammam, and gym, the hotel is a luxurious wellness retreat, offering the perfect blend of relaxation and Riviera glamour.

Tucked into a residential neighborhood—on the crest between Antibes and Juan-les-Pins and surrounded by greenery and well protected from traffic noise—this cool, cozy inn feels like the 1920s private home it once was. Rooms, decked in bright colors and floral prints, have either views of the garden or the sea. If you are looking for a bargain, book the double room with bathroom in the hallway. The well-maintained (though unheated) swimming pool is a haven if you don't feel liking hiking down to Plage de la Salis.

In a storybook setting in the heart of Brantôme, this ivy-covered, turquoise-shuttered stone building looks directly over the placid waters of the Dronne, making this the ideal place to sample the watery charms of this little town (and taste its delights, thanks to the Michelin-starred restaurant here). The guest rooms are decorated in a contemporary style, and the more expensive Caractère rooms come with private terraces overlooking the river and Jacuzzis. The one-Michelin-starred restaurant has eight magnificent arched windows with river views—a memorable setting for dishes such as wild turbot in a local walnut wine Sabayon sauce of girolles mushrooms and dried apricots. There's also a handsome bar for a glass of wine and a snack if you don't want to commit to a rather expensive meal or prefer to dine outside the hotel.

On the shores of Lac d’Annecy in Talloires, this contemporary chalet-style hotel set on a tree-lined property provides the perfect getaway for relaxation. Pastel colors, pale wood floors, and tasteful modern furnishings create an atmosphere of homespun repose, with the lake and the surrounding mountains visible from your private terrace. A spa, heated outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and a choice of spa treatments complete your stay. The cheerful bar offers snacks and drinks throughout the day.

This little hotel, one block back from the seafront, is cheerfully run by Patricia and Nicholas. The location is right at the center of things, midway between the D-Day museum and the Arromanches 360 movie theater. Guest rooms are prettily decorated and—with the exception of Rooms 4 and 5—quite small, but they’re impeccably clean and a good value overall. One family room can sleep four, plus a child under two. The restaurant serves up locally sourced seasonal dishes with a set menu that changes daily.

You will not find a hotel in Chartres as charming, welcoming, or well priced as this chambre d’hôtes a 10-minute walk from the cathedral. All three contemporary guest rooms are comfortably furnished and perfectly private, with ample baths and spacious outdoor terraces in a large, attractive garden. Breakfast is included in the price.  

An elegant yet laid-back atmosphere defines this stately 18th-century pavilion in the center of Amboise, where airy guest rooms may be done in classic 1930s or contemporary boutique-hotel style; some retain original architectural accents, like exposed beams or heavy wood moldings, and all have refurbished, retro-looking bathrooms. Breakfast can be taken in the salon or on the lovely terrace.

In a restored 18th-century house on La Palud's only street, this lovely little complex with a B&B, restaurant, and a climbing-gear store is run by charming owners. The rustic, simple rooms, each named after a classic hiking route, include one with a large double bed and another with a double and three singles. A small house is available for larger families or groups. Don't expect a TV, but rooms are furnished with a lot of good books. A healthy breakfast (€8.50) includes homemade jam.

On a rocky promontory overlooking the sea, this fantasy villa was bought from a countess in 1917 and converted to a sleek hotel-restaurant, where the Passédat family has been getting it right ever since—especially in the famous restaurant, which is one of only two in Provence with three Michelin stars. Gérald Passedat helms the kitchen, creating sea-anemone beignets, fresh fish roasted whole, and an entire €390 menu dedicated to Bouille Abaisse (be sure to reserve 48 hours in advance). Most guest rooms are minimalist, with some Art Deco–cum–postmodern touches, while outside the gorgeous heated pool is illuminated at night by antique gaslight fixtures.

This country hotel's beautiful setting, luxurious pool, full-service spa, Michelin-starred restaurant, and guest rooms with every modern convenience assure a high level of pampering. Extensive gardens and proximity to the area's must-see sights are also pluses. Request a room with a terrace and view.

The rooms here may not be huge, but they do give you the chance to have your very own Parisian lodging at the foot of Montmartre, packed with lovely touches like chic contemporary-vintage decor, provocative art prints and books, a record player with vinyl records, a fluffy bed, Le Labo toiletries, and quintessential Parisian views. With only 40 rooms, and food and drinks served from 7 am to 2 am in the in-hotel restaurant and bar (both specializing in locally sourced products), you get a clubby feeling perfect for this eclectic, lively, and très Parisian neighborhood.

Heavenly peace is the theme at this lovely five-star hotel, tucked away behind the walls of a medieval convent amid enchanting gardens, with a pool, shady terraces, and a highly regarded restaurant all of which have undergone a top-to-toe renovation. Spread across three buildings, the rooms are a handsome mix of contemporary luxe accented with elegant Provençal antiques. Some rooms have private terraces; the best accommodations tend to be those in the ancient priory. This sheltered oasis feels worlds away from Avignon's crowds and bustle, but it's close enough to easily come and go.

Once a relay station for weary travelers on an ancient Gallo-Roman path, this grand cru classé property has a choice of comfortable guest rooms, including a unique tree house with a beautiful view over the vineyards. A state-of-the-art seminar room, tasting room, welcome center, and animated tour of their underground cellar (remnants from an 11th-century limestone excavation) make it an interesting base for a few days of wine discovery and relaxation.

Just north of town, Le Richebourg looks so ordinary from the outside that you wouldn’t give it a second glance as you drive by on the busy thoroughfare through Vosne-Romanée, but the good-size guest rooms inside are super stylish. A swanky spa and a garden-view restaurant serving modern Burgundy-based cuisine complete the picture.

Convenience and affordability combine in the most appealing way at this light-filled budget hotel at the center of town, just a stone’s throw from the railway station. Clean, comfortable, and up-to-date, the hotel offers all the services that assure a perfect stay: laundry, fresh healthy breakfasts, a delightful bar, bright rooms (some with small balconies and unobstructed views of Rennes), all in a chic, contemporary decor. What’s more, the on-site spa sets you up with a small pool, steam room, Jacuzzi, fitness room, and Carita spa should you require a massage or facial.

Smack dab in the city center, close to shopping, sights, and the famous market, this summery Provençal hotel is a good bet in a town that's not only best seen on foot, but can, for the most part, only be seen on foot. You can expect a standard well above most other hotels, along with all the amenities: spacious, bright, and beautifully appointed rooms; a well-equipped spa with a fitness room and a hammam; and indoor and outdoor pools for all-season swimming. The huge courtyard is delightful for lounging and alfresco dining during the long Provence summers. The hotel also offersa huge private villa with four double bedrooms and everything you need for independent living but with all the services of a hotel at your fingertips.

On the main drag running through Méribel, Le Savoy has a traditional stone-and-wood facade that leads to a rustic restaurant with wide-plank floors and rough-hewn beams that call to mind an old-time ski lodge. That's where things take an unexpected turn, with a bar where the furnishings are every bit as brightly colored as the creative cocktails. The guest rooms are completely contemporary, with nice details like bedside alcoves where you can leave the book you're reading or charge your iPhone. Each room has a private locker in the ski room where your boots are kept nice and toasty. The sauna and steam room are great places to relax after you hit the slopes.

In the heart of Old Rouen, this cute hotel has practical and comfortable rooms that, while recently refurbished, retain their taste for faraway lands: picture lamps from Egypt, tables from Morocco, and 1940s English armoires. Room 32 has a view of the cathedral; Room 23 is the prettiest. Breakfast and lunch are served in the lovely terrace, weather permitting, or in the cozy little bistro (closed Sunday) off the reception area.

Set in a beautifully restored 18th-century barn next to the village church, this unpretentious hotel offers real, rustic Alsatian charm; quiet, comfy guest rooms have functional dark-wood furnishings and, in some cases, balconies overlooking the street. In good weather, take advantage of the pleasant garden and courtyard.